Orthopedic Associates' Blog

Orthopedic Associates' Blog

Inspiring story about 90-year-old Coach Phil Brusca. Dr. Kramer repaired his Achilles Tendon 28 years ago. Read the full story here

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Common Soccer Injuries and How to Treat Them

By: Dr. Nogalski

Spring is a great time for youth soccer. All ages and experience levels of young soccer players will make their way onto the pitch in the next few weeks. As parents we want to cheer on our favorite soccer players while making sure they’re safe. There are a few common injuries that your child may face during this soccer season:

Knee injuries - ACL sprains (tears in the anterior cruciate ligament) are some of the most common soccer injuries. Some knee injuries can prevented by wearing the proper size of cleats and being mindful of the situation.

Achilles tendonitis - Inflamed or damaged Achilles tendons can occur when a player does not properly stretch or condition prior to the game. The most effective way to prevent Achilles tendonitis for soccer players is for the coaching staff to lead their players in stretching exercises throughout the week, before the game, and following the game. You as a parent can look at proper stretching exercises and complete the stretches with your child as well. This is a win/win for you as a parent since you will notice a difference in your everyday life with more stretching.

Concussions - Soccer has a history of being one of the leading sports for youth concussions. ‘Heading’ the ball is one of the more dangerous practices that can lead to brain injury, namely a concussion. Two independent studies suggest that prolonged use of ‘heading’ may lead to long-term cognitive degeneration. (Moms Team)

Preventing these common soccer injuries starts with good protection and conditioning. Make sure your child is wearing the appropriate type and size of equipment. We all know how quickly children grow, so don’t be surprised if your child needs a different size of cleats midway through the year as when the season started. Your local sporting goods store can measure your child for the right size of shin guards as well.

Good conditioning means your child needs the proper level of hydration and fuel to stay focused and up to speed on the soccer pitch. We cannot emphasize the importance of drinking plenty of water every day throughout the season.

We hope you have a wonderful season ahead. If your child does experience any type of soccer-related injury, Orthopedic Associates is here to serve you. Our staff of board-certified physicians specializes in sports medicine. We’ve helped some of the greatest professional athletes in St. Louis and beyond get the treatment they need to be at their best. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have and help your child make a full recovery. Click here to schedule an appointment with Orthopedic Associates.

2015 St. Louis Ram’s Season-Opening Injury Report

The St. Louis Rams’ 2015 NFL season is here and we couldn’t be more excited to see how our Gateway gang of the gridiron does this year. We have a new starting quarterback in Nick Foles and a championship-caliber defense. While we’re focused on the new season ahead, we’re also paying pretty close attention to the sidelines where some of our favorite Rams continue to recover on the injury list.

Here is a full report on every Ram making their comeback from an injury:

E.J. Gaines, CB

Gaines suffered a season-ending Lisfranc foot injury in the second practice of the first week of training camp. (Source) He played his college ball at Mizzou and was a breakout star in his rookie season last year. Gaines underwent surgery to repair a set of small bones on the top of his foot and is expected to make a full recovery.

Rodger Saffold, OG

Saffold left the Rams’ preseason opener against the Raiders with a left shoulder injury. This is the same shoulder that he underwent surgery on back in January of this year. Saffold has suffered from repeat shoulder injuries for the past few seasons. Fortunately, it appears Saffold is making a quick recovery and is expected back before the Rams’ regular season opener. (Source)

Isiah Ferguson, WR

Ferguson has a torn ACL and meniscus and is expected to miss the entire 2015 season. (Source) The rookie wide receiver signed with the Rams as an undrafted free agent and has a promising future on his road to recovery.

Todd Gurley, RB

Gurley was a Heisman favorite at the University of Georgia before a torn ACL in his knee finished his college career. The Rams selected Gurley tenth overall in the NFL Draft this past May. He did not play a single snap in any of the four preseason games as the Rams continue to monitor his progress. Coach Jeff Fisher’s initial prognosis was that Gurley will miss the season opener against Seattle.

Tre Mason, RB

Mason suffered a hamstring sprain in the Rams’ preseason loss to the Colts. (NFL) He has battled with this same hamstring injury throughout training camp. Mason is expected to challenge Gurley for the starting running back role this year, but he is currently “questionable” for Week 1 of the NFL regular season.

Daren Bates, LB

Like Saffold, Bates was also injured in the Rams’ preseason opener. Bates suffered a sprained MCL and is expected to return for the Ram’s regular season opener. Coach Jeff Fisher shared his perspective, “We’ll kind of watch him the next couple of weeks. Daren is a tough guy and whatever his return-to-play day is, I’m sure he’ll beat that." (ESPN)

Here’s to a great season ahead and well-wishes for all of our favorite Rams still recovering. LET’S GO, RAMS!

How to Exercise Safely in the St. Louis Summer Heat

The dog days of summer are here, and that means your outdoor workout is a little bit hotter than it was earlier this summer. St. Louis in July features some of the hottest days of the year with temperatures expected to hit triple digits. (Accuweather) Before you hit the pavement for a jog in Forest Park or cycle down the Katy Trail,, keep these tips in mind for exercising safely in the summer heat.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

Your body loses water at a tremendous rate in extreme heat. Dehydration is one of the leading causes of heat stroke. Keep a bottle of water with you at all times in case you get overheated. It’s important to drink water throughout your workout to replenish your body’s hydration levels. If you’re feeling thirsty, you’re already dehydrated. Drink plenty of water!

Use sunscreen throughout the day

If you’re going to spend any time in the sun, you need to wear sunscreen. Don’t try to be a “tough guy” because “you’re just going to get sunburned anyway.” You need to apply sunscreen every two hours to stay protected from the sun. If you’ve had orthopedic surgery on your shoulder or knees, the surgical scars may be exposed to sunlight and susceptible to burning easier than the rest of your body. Lather on a little extra sunscreen over those areas to stay safe.

Don’t forget to stretch!

As we say in St. Louis, “It’s not the heat; it’s the humidity.” Increased humidity causes leg cramping that can lead to potential injury. Keeping your muscles limber and flexible is one of the best ways to avoid muscle cramps and spasms. (Stretch Coach)

Pace yourself

You may follow a killer running routine throughout the year, but it’s wise to dial the intensity back a bit on hotter days. What may be a normal workout in 70-degree weather may be potentially dangerous in 90- to 100-degree temperatures. It’s worth reducing your exercise routine to safely enjoy the summer weather. You can always kick back into high gear as the cooler days of September and October arrive.

If you have an ongoing exercise injury, you may need to be examined by a board-certified physician at Orthopedic Associates. We treat a variety of sports-related injuries and can help you get the treatment you need to properly recover. Call Orthopedic Associates today to schedule your first appointment.

Does Your Running Shoe Type Matter?

By: Dr. Aaranson

An experienced runner knows a well-fit shoe is priceless, especially when you face the uphill section of a marathon. Improper fits can cause blisters, foot conditions, and a variety of other complications. Shoes is arguably one of the most debated topics among runners: what type of running shoe is best for runners?

Support structure is important to consider: how much motion control does your shoe give you? If you’re naturally overpronated in your gait, a shoe ‘expert’ may have recommended a heavier type of shoe with more support. Unfortunately, research shows that the type of running shoe likely doesn’t matter.

A recent study published by Aarhus University in Denmark followed the running progression of 927 adults who were novice runners for an entire year. (British Journal of Sports Medicine) The runners were men and women ranging from age 18 to 65. Researchers profiled each runner’s foot to determine their most natural pronation pattern. The runners were then divided into five categories:

Neutral pronation

Overpronation

Severe overpronation

Underpronation

Severe underpronation

All the runners were given the same model of neutral-motion, lightweight running shoes with GPS trackers to record mileage and injury instructions. The runners were allowed to run at whatever pace and to whatever distance they chose. Over the course of a year, the 927 runners ran a collective 203,000 miles. There were approximately 300 medically confirmed running injuries reported from the runners. The data told a different story when it came to shoe type.

Among all runners who ran at least 600 miles in the year, the injury rate among neutral pronation runners was slightly high compared to runners who overpronated. This is the latest study to confirm previous research that choosing a running shoe based on foot type can often lead to a higher risk of injury. (NCBI)

What prevents running injuries? Other factors, such as body mass, running mechanics, age, previous injury, and training regimen all seem to have more influence on whether a runner experiences an injury. Choosing your running shoe based on comfort may be the best approach. If you’re comfortable in your own shoes, you may be more inspired to hit the road and stay healthy along the way.

If you do suffer from a running injury, your best step is to connect with our board-certified physicians at Orthopedic Associates. We can explore the extent and nature of your injury and determine the best treatment method for your recovery. Start a conversation with Orthopedic Associates today.

First Aid tips for treating common school sport injuries

By: Dr. Richard Hulsey

Playing sports with your classmates from school can be a fantastic experience for many children. We all know that kids will be kids when it comes to being rough and tumble on the playground and in sports. Accidents, bumps, and cuts sometimes happen though when you’re having a great time playing sports. It may be a sprained ankle playing football, a jammed finger under the basketball hoop, or any number of other possible injuries.

Having a first aid kit at the ready is essential for any teacher, coach, or supervisor during a school sports game. Knowing how to use the first aid kit is the first step in relieving pain and preventing further injury. Many injuries that require immediate attention are called “acute injuries,” such as a broken bone or dislocated knee. Many schools require their teaching staff and administration to be First Aid-certified. If your school does not require the same standards, I highly recommend that you stay current in your First Aid training.

When it comes to using First Aid to treat school sport injuries, think of the word PRICE:

Protect the injured area. Important: if you suspect that the student suffered a head or spinal injury, do not move them unless it is absolutely necessary. Call for assistance from a trained professional medic and stay by the student’s side. Less extreme injuries can still be vulnerable to greater injury. As quickly and safely as possible, relocate the injured student to a protected space to start treating their injury.

Rest the injured area. If they injured their arm, the first step is protecting the injured arm from further injury. Find a position for the student that is most comfortable, either sitting, lying down, or standing as their injury dictates.

Ice the injured area. Applying a quick-freeze packet from your First Aid kit to an acute injury can help reduce swelling and pain. Apply ice to the injured area every two hours for up to 20 minutes per application. Be careful not to overuse ice because it can cause skin damage. Allow the skin to return to normal temperature before reapplying the ice treatment.

Compress the injured area through immobilization. Use an elastic bandage from your First Aid kit to wrap the injured area. If you have leftover ice, you can apply ice to the injured area over the wrap. The cold still does the trick and the wrap helps protect the skin from freezer burn to a certain extent.

Elevate the injured area if this position is not uncomfortable. This reduces blood flow to the injured area, which in turn reduces swelling from any inflicted trauma.

Do I need Physical Therapy for my back pain?

Dr. Mohammed Paracha

Your back hurts… a lot. An ice pack, two pain relievers, and massaging your lower back for a few minutes helps take the edge off. Wouldn’t it be nice if you didn’t have to deal with the same ache and stiffness? Your back may not be injured to the point of needing surgery, but there’s no question you’re in pain. Your doctor recommends physical therapy to help alleviate your discomfort. Do you really need physical therapy for your back pain, even if you’ve never needed back surgery? You may be surprised!

According to a recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, physical therapy can be as effective as surgery and less risky for at least one lower back condition (lumbar spinal stenosis). Surgery brings a series of additional risks, some life-threatening, but it can be extremely effective. Whether it’s a new injury or an old nagging one, you may want to consider physical therapy for your back pain.

Physical therapy can help stretch and reposition your back muscles and musculoskeletal structure. Active stretching combined with regular exercise can help your body maintain a healthy range of motion and reverse disuse atrophy. Trying to relieve your back pain through self-directed exercises can sometimes involve the wrong stretches or degree of stretching. A physical therapist gives you the added safety of a trained professional who can coach you on the proper technique and range of stretching.

Physical therapy can also identify specific core and lower back strengthening exercises to help build up your “belt of muscle” around your abdominal section. The key is to reinforce the surrounding muscles to support your spinal stress. Dynamic stabilization exercises, such as balancing on a exercise ball, strengthen the secondary muscles around the spinal region during everyday motion.

Our Orthopedic Associates team provides a full spectrum of treatment options for back and spine pain, including: